Tuesday, February 6, 2018

7 Common Water Contaminants

Our bodies are made of water. Water is an important part of human survival. The human body is made up of almost 60% water, and adults should drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Water keeps your cells healthy, joints lubricated, and is used by the body as a shock absorber.

Hidden Contaminants

Water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen, but as we have seen from recent news headlines, it can also contain dangerous contaminants. Water can become contaminated at the source or as it travels through pipes to your tap. Even bottled and filtered water may contain harmful pollutants. The quality of our water is not something we should take for granted. Even if your water is crystal clear and has no odor, that does not mean it’s safe. Many impurities are colorless and odorless. If you really want to know what is in your water, you need to test it.

Testing Options

There are many options for water testing, including professional laboratory analysis and at-home testing. If you choose to have your water checked at a lab, you will need to collect and mail away samples. Results could take days or weeks. If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person, you can purchase a kit to test your water at home. TestAssured makes a Complete Water Analysis Test Kit that allows you to quickly and easily perform ten different tests. You’ll have results in a matter of minutes for most tests. However, the bacteria test does take 48 hours to develop and produce results.

7 Common Contaminants

With the TestAssured kit, you’ll be able to test for the most common contaminants as well as some other less serious water concerns, such as pH, hardness, and alkalinity.

1. Lead can be absorbed into your water from older fixtures and outdated plumbing. Drinking water that contains lead can cause lead poisoning resulting in gastrointestinal, neurological, developmental, and reproductive problems.
2. Bacteria from animal feces can seep through the ground into water supplies. Bacteria is also present in the biofilm that forms in water systems. If you drink these bacteria in your water, it could lead to fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Well water should be tested annually for coliform bacteria.
3. Pesticides are sprayed on crop fields where they are also absorbed by the soil, eventually seeping into groundwater. Many pesticides have been linked to serious health issues such as cancer and organ damage.
4. Iron is naturally found in soil where it can be absorbed by rainwater and other water sources, ending up in drinking water. High levels of iron can be dangerous for those with certain health conditions.
5. Nitrates and nitrites are used in soil fertilizers and can easily seep into groundwater. High levels of these pollutants can cause developmental issues, blood disorders, and possibly cancer.
6. Chlorine is used to safely disinfectant water, but at levels over 4 parts per million, there is a risk for negative health effects.
7. Copper from the soil, rocks, and copper piping can leach into water. Drinking water with excessive amounts of copper can cause gastrointestinal issues, liver damage, and kidney disease.

Test Often for Good Health

It does not matter if you have city water or well water, there is an equal risk for contamination. The EPA sets limits on the allowable amounts of contaminants for municipal water sources which undergo frequent testing, but contamination can occur as it travels to your tap. If you have well water, annual testing is recommended. Test your water today to make sure your drinking water is free from these seven common contaminants.